Method of mounting fabric sleeves on hollow cores to form paint rollers



y 1960 A. 1.. SANNIPOLI ETAL 2,944,588

METHOD OF MOUNTING FABRIC SLEEVES ON HOLLOW COREIS TO FORM PAINT ROLLERS Filed Oct. 20, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fla.5

INVENTORS ALFRED L. SANNIPOLI & EARL E THOMAS ATTORN Y5 July 12, 1960 A. L. SANNIPOLI EI'AL 2,944,588

METHOD OF MOUNTING FABRIC SLEEVES 0N HOLLOW CORES TO FQRM PAINT ROLLERS INVENTORS A TTOENE V5.

; ALFRED L. SAmv/Pou g & EARL t. THOMAS N I\ y 1960 A. L. SANNIPOLI ETAL 2,944,588

METHOD OF MOUNTING FABRIC SLEEVES 0N HOLLOW CORES TO FORM PAINT ROLLERS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 20, 1955 Fla. /8

INVENTORS ALFRED L. SANNIPQLI ATTORNEYS.

July 12, 1960 A. L. SANNIPOL! ETAI. 2,944,588

METHOD OF MOUNTING FABRIC SLEEVES 0N HOLLOW CORES TO FORM PAINT ROLLERS Filed Oct. 20, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS ALFRED L. Smwv/Pou 8: E424 E. THOMAS M /Ju/k A T TOENE V5.

ly 12, 19 A. L. SANNIPOLI ETAL 2,944,588

METHOD OF MOUNTING FABRIC SLEEVES 0N HOLLOW CORES TO FORM PAINT ROLLERS Filed Oct. 20, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 METHOD or. MOUNTING mmc sLEnvEs" 'o'Nf HOLLOW CORES TO FORM PAINT ROLLERS Filed Oct. 20, 1955, Ser. No. 541,702 17 Claims. (Cl. 154-41 This invention relates to the manufacture of paint rollers and the like and particularly to a method and apparatus. for inverting and mounting the 'sleevesof knitted pile fabric onto hollow cores to form the paint rollers.

A common method used in the manufacture of paint roller is to helically wind a strip of knitted pile fabric onto a hollow core which has been previously coated with ad- 1 vniedsmmm 1 pushing successively portions of the sleeve along the outside'of the'tube. The inverting of the sleeve onto the tube is accomplished in short successive strokes,v whereby the sleeve is gathered and the gathered length of the sleeve, afterinverting, is much less than the length .of'

the sleeve prior to inverting. After the sleeve has been inverted onto the tube, it is mounted on a hollow core hesive. Such a procedure is not only costly and timeconsuming but, in addition, may result in a non-uniform coverage of the core inasmuch as spaces may'occur between the windings of the strip of knitted pile fabric. In addition, paint rollers made in this manner may cause uneven application of paint. it has been more recently suggested that a seamless tubular sleeve beused which has substantially the same diameter as the core. Such roller is shown, for example, in the patent to Schmidt 2,704,877, dated March 29, 1955, titled Process and Machine for Treating and Shearing Fabric Sleeves Having a Nap. The sealless knitted tubular sleeve may be made on machines'such as that shown in the patent to Moore 1,849,466, issuedMarchlS, 1932. The pile is fonned by knitting fibers into the stitches of the base presented because of the tendency of the knitted, sleeves to grip the core when it is attempted to slidethe sleeve over the core.- r

The base fabric of the pile sleeve is relatively elastic, I and in the size under consideration, the fibers of the pile are quite long and intermingled so that substantially the entire interior of the sleeve prior to inverting is filled with pile fibers. Accordingly, it is diflicult, if not impossible, to insert any tools or devices into the sleeve to facilitate inverting the sleeve without damaging the sleeve; After the sleeve is inverted, it must be mounted on a core and, unless the fibers are sealed to the base fabric,'they may be easily pulled out of the base fabric. The sleeve under consideration may be approximately two inches in diameter and of any length, for example, forty-eight inches. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for inverting the knitted sleeves and mounting the inverted sleeves on cores.

It is a further object of the invention to prov1de-ap-.

' fabric as the-fabric is being knitted; Sleev'esknitted on of rigid or semi-flexible material by passing the core through the tube on which the sleeve has been inserted;

and, as the core reaches the end of the tube, simultanee ously gripping the end of the sleeve and the core and pulling the sleeve olf the tube onto the core. In the gathered condition, the, pulling of the sleeve off the tube and onto the core is facilitated. The length of the core is substantially the same as the length of the sleeve prior to inverting. Both the tube onto which the sleeve is inverted and the core onto which the sleeve is mounted have a greater diameter than the base fabric of the sleeve in its untensioned state.

The apparatus for performing the method comprises an inverting machine and a transferring and mounting machine. The inverting machine comprises a hollow man-' drel onto which a transfer tube is mounted and through which the knitted sleeve is initially passed. The means fer tube to the paint roller core comprises means for successively feeding the cores through a second hollow mandrel onto which the tubewith the inverted sleeve is mounted. The apparatus also includes means for feeding paint roller cores in succession'through the second hollow mandrel. Means are provided for gripping the sleeve and core to strip the sleeve from the transfer tube onto, the paint roller core. Thismeans includes a pair of jawsr In addition, means are provided for insuring that the end of the sleeve is positively transferred from the tube to thecore. The apparatus also includes means It is a further object of the invention to providefal method and apparatus for mounting inverted sleeves on cores wherein the sleeve is not only adhered to the core but, in addition, the pile fibers are embedded in the base I fabric. u

of the sleeve around the end of the tube and thereafter 1 paratus for inverting the sleeve.

for automatically applyingadhesive to the cores. The entire cycle of the transferring and mounting apparatus is controlled by the movement of the cores inv succession. The adhesive which is applied to the core prior to the mounting of the pile fabric sleeve on the core not only servesto adhere the sleeve to the core, but, in addition, locks the pile fibers in the base fabric and prevents them from being pulled out of the sleeve.

In the drawings: 7 Fig.1 is a perspective view of the knitted sleeve prior. to inverting.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the sleeve. as mounted onacore. Y a

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the inverting of the sleeve and transferring of the sleeve onto the core. Fig. 4 is apart sectional elevational view of theQmanj drel which is used in inverting the sleeve. p

Fig. 5 is a part section-a1 elevational view of the tube which is used in inverting the sleeve.

' Fig. 6 is a fragmentary part-sectional view of the apparatus for inverting the sleeve, showing the position of the sleeve at the beginning of the inverting operation.

Fig.7 is a part sectional'elevational viewof the ap- Fig. 8 1s apartsectional plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7.

' Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Fig. 8. e r Fig. 10 'is a part sectional elevational view of the apf Patented Julyfl2," 196D- paratus for transferring the inverted sleeve onto a core.

Fig. 11 is a part sectional end View of the apparatus for feeding cores successively.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 12-12 in Fig. 14. i p

Fig. 13' is a fragmentary plan view-'of the portion of the apparatus for guiding the cores.

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevational view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 15 is an elevational view on an enlarged'scale of the'transferring portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line Id -16 in.aFig.' 17.

Fig. 17 is an end view of the apparatus for applying a coating of adhesive to the cores.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line 18-18 inFig. 10.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of the circuit for controlling the operation of the apparatus for inverting the sleeve.

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of the circuit for controlling the apparatus for transferring the inverted sleeve to the core.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary part sectional view on an enlarged scale of the apparatus shown in Fig. 15.

Referring to Fig. 1, the sleeve S has been knitted on a knitting machine as heretofore set forth and comprises a base fabric 30 and a pile 31. The base fabric 31 and the pile 31 may be made of natural or synthetic fibers such as wool, cotton, mohair, rayon, nylon, dynel and the like, or mixtures thereof. As knitted, the pile fabric extends inwardly from the base fabric of the sleeve and is of such a length that it substantially fills the interior of the sleeve. The pile fibers are intermingled'and invariably some of the fibers are unconnected to the base fabric. The entire sleeve is relatively limp and flexible and the base fabric has a substantial elasticity longitudinally andtransversely. The pile fibers are mechanically held in the base fabric by the stitches of the knitted base fabric and may be pulled out of the base fabric unless they are locked into the stitches by a subsequent operation as presently described.

As shown in Fig. 2, after the sleeve S has been inverted, it is mounted on a paint roller core 32 of rigid or semi-flexible material such as plastic, paper, metal or cloth. A layer of adhesive is provided between the base fabric 3t? and the core 32 The pile fabric may then be combed and sheared providing a uniform pile, which makes the roller satisfactory for use in the application of paint. 7

The basic operations required for inverting and transferring the sleeve are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the sleeve S is positioned within a hollow transfer tube 33 which is mounted so that the interior surface thereof is unobstructed to receive the sleeve S. The end of the sleeve S is turned over the end of the transfer tube 33 onto the outer surface thereof and the turned-over end of the sleeve is then pulled to thus invert the sleeve from the interior of the transfer tube 33 onto the outer surface of the transfer tube 33. In order to invert the sleeve, a pair of reciprocable jaws 34 are caused to grip and slide successive portions of the sleeve from the interior onto the outer surface of the transfer tube 33 in the direction of the arrow. The transfer tube 33, with the inverted sleeve thereon, is then positioned in. the path of the core 32 and the core 32 caused to move relative to the tube 33 and through the tube 33. As the core 32 passes through the tube 33, a

portion of the inverted sleeve S is pulled off the tube 33- The core 32 is preferably coated withan adhesive on the outer surface thereof priorto its passage through the tube 33. V

The knitted sleeve S, when in an untensioned condition, has a diameter less than the outer diameter of the tube 33 or the core 32 on wh-ieh it is to be mounted. The tube 33 has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the core 32. Thus, th e sleeve S is ten; sioned or expanded when it is inverted'onto the tube 33, and thereafter caused to contract when it is pulled from the tube 33 onto the core 32.

Because of the inherent tendency of a knitted sleeve to grip a member positioned within the sleeve, itis preferable to gather the sleeve S onto the tube 33 as it is inverted so that the gathered length thereof is substantially less than the original length.- For example, the sleeve S may be approximately forty-eight inches in length prior to inverting and may be inverted and gathered onto a tube 33 of approximately eighteen inches in length. The inverted sleeve of this dimension in the gathered condition can then he slid onto a core of about forty-eight inches in length with'much less difiiculty than would be the case if the sleeve were not in a gathered condition. 1

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the transfer tube 33 onto which the sleeve S is inverted as designed so that it can be removably mounted on the inverting apparatus and also on the transferring apparatus in such a manner that it is rigid and, in addition, the interior thereof is generally unobstructed. in order to accomplish this, a hollow mandrel 35 isprovided which has approximately the same outer diameter as the inner diameter of the tube 33. The tube 33 is slipped over the mandrel 35 and held in position by a stop 36. The interrelationship of the sleeve S, tube 33 and hollow mandrel 35 during the inverting is shown in Fig. 6. The sleeve S fits loosely within the hollow mandrel 35' and the end thereof has been turned over and onto the tube 33. The pile 31 of the sleeve S fills substantially the entire interior of the sleeve. 7 i g V As shown in Fig. 7, 'meansis provided for positioning the sleeve within the hollow mandrel. This inciudes a pneumatic cylinder motor 57 positioned" at one end of the hollow-mandrel 35 with the piston rod fi thereof ex tending coaxially of the'mandrel 35. The end of the piston rod 581s provided with a hook 59, whereby when l the cylinder is actuated, the rod 58moves through the mandrel 35 bringing the hook into position adjacent the opposite end of the mandrel. The end'of the sleeve 5 is then attached to the rod by means of the'hook 5?, and when the cylinder is actuated to retract the'rod, the sleeve is pulled through the'mandrel 35 into proper position within the mandrel for inverting. The end of the sleeve S is then manually turned or pulled over the edge of the tube 33 onto the outer surface of the tube 33 (Fig. 6). In order to invert the sleeve onto the tube 33 and simultaneously gather the sleeve to provide a shorter effective length, there is provided in conjunction with the mandrel 35 a pair of jaws 34 which are mount ed for reciprocating movement in a path parallel to the axis of the mandrel 35. 7

As shown in Fig. 9, the jaws are mounted at one end within a housing 40 which slides within upper and lower channels 41 and 42, respectively. Channels 41, 42 extend along one side of mandrel 35 in parallel spaced relation thereto. The housing 41 includes side plates 43, 44 which form the side walls thereof and upper and lower plates 45, 46 which form the top and bottom walls thereof. In addition, bearing blocks 47 are mounted on the plates 45 and 46 and are adapted to ride on the channels 41, 42 to guide the housing 49 in its movement along the channels. The jaws 34- are pivotally mounted in the side walls 43, 44 by pins 48; A spring 49 extendsbetween the jaws 'and' tends to maintain them in separated position. The opening and closing of the jaws iscontrolled .a pneumatic motor positioned on th end the housing and having 'abevelled end51 on the. piston rod. thereof which when actuated" engages 'the" bevelled ends 52 of the jaws 34 with a camming actionand causes I the jaws to close into gripping relationship around the tube 33 as shown in dotted linesinFig. 17. p V The operation of the motor 50 is controlledbya sole; noid actuated "valve 53 which .is of the well-known type including tworsolenoids. The construction of the valve is such that a momentary electrical impulserwill cause pneumatic cylinder 38 mounted at one end of the channels 41, 42 and having the piston rod 39 thereof connected to the housing 40. The operation of the pneumatic cylinder 38 is controlled by a valve 54 similar to the valve 53. Air is supplied to the ends of the cylinders'through suitable openings, for example, as shown at 55 in Fig. 8.

After the sleeve S has been placed in position within the'hollow mandrel 35 and the end thereof has been turned over onto the transfer tube 33, the inverting mecha nism is actuated causing the jaws 34 to grip the sleeve, as shown in Fig. 8, and the jaws are moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 8. By this movement, a portion of the sleeve S is inverted onto the transfer tube 33.

The grip of the jaws 34 is then released, and the jaws are returned to the initial position wherein they are again caused to close and grip the sleeve and thereafter move to the dotted line position causing more of the sleeve to be inverted onto the tube 33. i The successive opening and closing of the jaws and movement thereof axially of mandrel 35 is continued until the entire length of the sleeve has been inverted onto the, tube 33. Each time the sleeve is gripped and moved by the jaws, an

apparatus for transferring the sleeve, has:

'beenfinvertedonto'the tube 33, from; the tube. 33'toi al p aint'roller core 32 is shown in 'Fig lO. ;A hopper 7 66 it from the lower part ofthe' hopper 66. In order to faciliare caused by gravity to be fed one by one onto the 7 additional portion of the sleeve is pulled over onto the tube 33 and the portions of the sleeve previously inverted are pushed along the length of the tube causing them to'gather. e I

c As previously set forth, the 'length ofthe tube 33 is preferably less than the length of the sleeve S prior to inverting whereby the sleeve is gathered',-'as' shown by broken lines in Fig. 8, onto the tube 33.-' V For example, the initial length of the sleeve S may be forty-eight inches while the length of the tube .3 is eighteen inches. The inverting operation could be accomplished; for example, in six successive eight-inch movements of the jaws.

In the apparatus shown, the entiremovement of the jaws is automatic and is controlled by microswitches 60,

63 positioned at one end of the path' of movementof'jaws tate feeding of the corespthe hopper 66 is mounted on springs'151 and a vibrator 152 is mounted on a hopper to continuously vibrate the hopper.

' As shown in Fig 11', the hopper thereoftapered downwardly so that theicores 32 therein conveyor 67. The lowerportionof the hopperfincludes' spaced vertical'sides 72 at either endof the hopper for guiding thecores 32 singly onto the conveyor. As shown in Fig. 13, side rails 73,74 are positioned'to' guide each core 32 as it is stripped and moved along by the tabs 70 of the conveyor 67. The distance between the rails 73, 74 is suflicient to provide clearance for the tabs 70 which are preferably of greater width than the diameter of the cores 32." In order to maintain the core 32 centrally of the rails 73, 74, small arms'75, 7,6 are pivotally connected adjacent and at spaced points along the length of the rails 73, 74, respectively, and have their ends thereof extending inwardly into the paths of the cores 32. Springs 77 act on the arms 75, 76 and tend to keep the ends thereof in inwardly extending position (Figs. 12, 13 and14). V

As each core is stripped from the hopper,.it is caused to pass through a tube 30 and anelongated collar 79 which is telescopically mounted on tube 80. The collar is maintained in outwardly extending position at one end of tube 80 by a spring 82 positioned between the collar 79 and a fixed support 83 on which tube 80 is mounted. As the core 32 passes through the collar 79, the tab 70 on the chain 67 contacts a flange 84 on the collar 79 and moves the collar along the path of movement of the core 32 against the action of the spring-82. The'mov ement of the collar 79 causes the collar to engage an arm 85oi switch 86, which controls the. operation of the apparatus.

for transferring the sleeve to the core, as presently described. After the tab 70 clears the. collanthe spfng cessive core being stripped from the hopper. 66 and is guided through the tube 80 to an adhesive applying station 87 where a layer of adhesive is applied to the outer sur face of the. core. 7 I 7 Referring to Figs..16, 17 and 19, the adhesive-applying apparatus includes a head 88 which is provided with an opening 89"therethrough having substantially the same 34 and microswitches 61, 62 positioned at'the other end 7 of the path of movement of the jaws. At the beginning of the inverting cycle, a main switch (not shown) is closed which actuates the valves 53 causing the motor'50 to close thejaws 34 around the sleeve.- The closing of the jaws causes'a rod 56, mounted at the bevelled end 51 of the piston rod of motor 50, to contact the switch 63. This switch actuates valve 54 causing the cylinder 38 to move the jaw housing 40 along the length of the channels 41, 42. As the rod 39 which moves the housing 40 nears the end of its stroke, the housing4Q contacts switch 61 which actuates valve 53 to cause the jaws to open by actuating the cylinder 50. -The opening of the jaws causes the rod 56 to contact switch 62 which actuates the-valve 54 to cause the cylinder 38 to return the jaw housing 40 to its original position; As the jaw hous-. '7

ing 40 returns to its original position, the housing conthe switches until terminated by a timer which, in the case of the forty-eight inch length sleeve, stops the operation of a the jaws after six successive movements.

diameter as the external diameter of the cores 32 which are passed therethroughi The head 88 is provided with i channels 91), 91'communicating with a'n annular channel 92, which, n turn, is connected to the interior surface of the opening 89 by a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced radial holes'93. The channels 90, 91 are .connected together by a single pipe 94 which, in turn, is connected by a pipe 95 to a source 96 of adhesive under pressure. A valve97 may be positioned in the pipei95 to control the flow of adhesive to the head 88. The flow of adhesive may also be by gravity. I

As the core 32 is passed through the head 88, adhesive is applied to the outersurface thereof through the holes93. In order to distributethe adhesive on the outer surface of the core, an annularjring 98 of flexiblematerial such as neoprene is provided at the outlet of the opening 89. The ring is held inproper relation totheiopening by. means of a metal ring'99 held imposition ;byfscrews 1130. The flexiblering 98 is of slightly less" diameter than the outerdiameter of the corei32- and isiprovidedwith a multiplicity of serrations 101, whereby when the core 32 passes through the flexible ring, the adhesive is equally 66 has the sides 71.

'7 distributed over the outer surface of the core, but the adhesive is .not completely removed therefrom. The flow of adhesive rearwardly ofthe head 88 is prevented by an annular gasket 150 at the inlet'of the opening 39. (Not shown in Fig. 17..)

Referring again to Fig. as the core 32 having a layer of adhesive on the outer surface thereof is pushed further along, it passes through a hollow mandrel 102 positioned in the path of the core. The interior surface of the hollow mandrel 102 is formed-with inwardly directed projections 122 which keep the adhesive coated core 32 from coming into face-to-face contact with the surface of the mandrel 102 (Figs. 18, 22). The projections are preferably in the form of small dimples or inde'ntations which are spaced circumferentially and longitudinally of the mandrel. For example, three projections 122 are preferred circumferentially. In a mandrel which is eighteen inches in length, the projections 122 are preferably spaced longitudinally approximately six inches apart and inwardly from the ends of the mandrel. The transfer tube 33 onto which the sleeve has been previously inverted is positioned over the hollow mandrel 102 and is held in position thereon by a radial projection 103 on tube 33 which engages with a hook 104 on the mandrel 102, as shown in Fig. 15.

As further shown in Fig. 10, the end of the sleeve on the tube 33 is first pulled manually off the tube, bringing it into position for contact with the end of the core 32 as the core moves through the hollow mandrel 102. When the end of the core and the end of the sleeve are aligned, a pair of jaws 105 is caused to grip the sleeve and the core; and the jaws are then moved in a path parallel with the axis of the hollow mandrel 102, thereby pulling the sleeve and core and transferring the sleeve from the tube 33 to the core 32.

The jaws 105 are mounted in a housing 106 of the same construction as that used in the apparatus for in verting the sleeve (Figs. 8, 9). The opening and closing of the jaws 105 is provided by a pneumatic motor 107 which, in turn, is controlled by a solenoid operated valve 108, as shown in Fig. 15. The jaws are moved in a path parallel to the axis of the hollow mandrel 102 by a pneumatic motor 100 which, in turn, is controlled by a solenoid actuated valve 110.

In order to facilitate the transfer of the sleeve from the transfer tube '33 to the core 32, a pusher bar 111 may be provided for pushing the end of the sleeve off the tube 33. As shown in Figs. and 18, the ends of the pusher bar 111 encircles the tube 33 and is provided with a slot 112 to permit clearance withthe radial projection 103 of the tube 33. Near the end of the stroke of the jaws 105, the pusher bar 111 is caused to be moved in a path parallel to the axis of the hollow mandrel 102. The movement of the pusher bar is controlled'by a pneumatic motor .113 which, in turn, is controlled by a solenoid operated valve 114. The movement of the pusher bar is guided by guide bars 115.

As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the operation of the apparatus for transferring the sleeve from the tube 33 to the core 32 is controlled by switch as which is positioned near the hopper 66, switches 116, 117 mounted in fixed position at one end of the path of movement of the jaws 105 and pusher bar 111, respectively, and switches 118, 119 mounted in fixed position at the other end of movement of the path of movement of the jaws 105.

As a core 32 is pushed thorug'h the hollow mandrel 102 by another core, the tabs 70 pushing the second core will contact the flange 84 of collar '79 and cause the collar 79 to move, closing the switch 86. At this instant, a core 32, passing through the mandrel 102, will be in position with the end of the core in register with the end of the sleeve which has'been pulled off of the tube 33. Closing of 'the'switch 86 will cause the solenoid operated valve 108 to'be actuated, operating the pneumatic cylinder 107 to close the jaws105 around the sleeve and core 32.

The closing of the jaws will, in turn, cause lever v121, mounted on the plunger of motor .1071to contact switch 116. This will actuate solenoid operatedvalve 110, causing the pneumatic motor 109 to move the jaws 105 in a path parallel to the axis of the hollow mandrel 102.

As the jaws 105 move along their path and cause the sleeve to be transferred from the transfer tube 33 to the core 32, the housing 106 of the jaws contacts a switch which actuates the solenoid operated valve 114 causing the pneumatic motor 113 to move the pusher bar 114 causing the pneumatic motor 113 to move thepusher bar 111 and thereby push the end of the sleeve off the tube 33, thereby assisting the transfer of the sleeve on to the core. As the jaws 105 reach the end of their stroke, the housing 106 of the jaws contacts switch 118 which causes the solenoid operated valve 108 to again be actuated, opening the jaws 105. As the jaws 105 are opened, the lever 121 contacts switch 119 which actuates solenoid operated valve 110 to return jaws 105 to their original position. As the pusher bar 111 reaches the end of its movement, it contacts switch 117 which energizes solenoid operated valve 114 to return the pusher bar to its original position.

The pneumatic motors which are used in the sleeve inverting apparatus and the sleeve transferring apparatus are of the double-acting type and the solenoid operated valves which actuate the pneumatic motors are all of the same type such as described in conjunction with valve 53.

A diagrammatic wiring diagram for the apparatus for inverting the sleeve is shown in Fig. 20. The circuit comprises a primary 125 and a multiplicity of secondary coils. The solenoid operated valve 54 for controlling the motor 38 which controls the movement of the jaws in a path parallel to the tube 33 has one of the solenoid coils 127 thereof connected in a circuit including secondary 126 and switch 63. The other solenoid 129 of the valve 54 is connected in a circuit including secondary 128 and switch 62. The solenoid operated valve 53 which controls the opening and closing of the jaws has one solenoid coil 131 thereof connected in a circuit with secondary and switch 61. The other solenoid 133 of the valve 53 is connected in a circuit including secondary 132, timer 146 and switch 60.

A main switch M is provided in parallel with switch 60. After the cylinder 57 '(Fig. 7) has been operated to'position a knitted tubular sleeve within the hollow mandrel 35 and the tube 33, and the end of the tubular sleeve has been turned over manually onto the tube 33, the switch M is temporarily depressed causing the solenoid 133 to be momentarily energized actuating the valve 53 to cause the motor 50 to close the jaws.

Closing of the jaws momentarily closes switch 63 which momentarily energizes solenoid 127 of valve 54 causing the motor 38 to move the jaws in a pathparallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 33. As the jaws reach the end of their movement, the switch 61 is closed momentarily energizing solenoid 131 to actuate the valve 53 causing motor 50 to open the jaws. The opening of the jaws momentarily closes switch .62, energizing solenoid 12.9 and actuating the valve 56 to cause the motor 38 to return to its original position. As the jaws return to their original position, the switch 60 is closed again causing the jaws to be closed and the cycle is repeated.

The timer .1 16 provided in the circuit of the switch 60 may be adjusted to permit a limited number of energizations of the circuit which includes the switch 60 as required by the length of the sleeve; For example, in the case of a forty-eight inch sleeve where the jaws move eight inches, the inverting would be accomplished by six reciprocations of the jaws; and after the circuit containing the switch 60 has been energized six times, the timer will prevent the circuit from being reenergized until the is infpo's'iti'on for invrtingf diagram for' the 'apparatusfor s witch -i s seen again d pressed when controls the opening and closing of thejaws105ihas one solenoid 136 thereof-connected in a circuit awith a" secondary coil- 135 and switch 8 6-. The othersolen oid 139 of the-valve108 is. connected with a secondary coil 131 and switch 118. The solenoid operated valve 110 which controls the movement of the jaws in a'path parallel j sleeve.

' sleeve and core'are moved along, the pusheri barflfl i i s es th 'end t e le ejl fihet c The' adhesive not only. -adhe res the sleeve but,' infaddition, sealsfthe back of.the basefabric to lock the pile fiber-s in the ibaseifabric and prevent them from beingjpulledtout of'the sleeve The adhesive whichis used preferably of the thermosetting type and must not only provide .an' effective, seal between the material of'the base fabric and" the core, but inadditiommust be chemto the longitudinal. axis of the tube has onesolenoid 140 thereof connected in a circuit with a secondary. coil 139 and switch 116.. The other so'1enoid'142 of the valve 110 is connected in a circuit including a secondary coil 141 and'switch 1 19. Thesolenoid operated' valve 114 which controls the movementaof the pusher bar 111 has one solenoid 144 thereof connected in a circuit ineluding a secondary coil 143 and switch 120. The other solenoid 146 of the valve 114 isconnected in a circuit including a secondary coil 145 andswitch 117.

As a core 32 is fed by the endless belt 67, the tab 70 on the endless belt causes the collar 79 to momenr tarily close switch 86. This momentarily energizes solenoid 136 actuating the valve 108 to cause the motor 107 to close the jaws 105. Closing of the jawsmomentarily closes the switch 116 which, in turn, momentarily energizes solenoid 140 actuating thevalve 110 causing mandrel 102. As the jaws arrive'at the end of their path, switch 118 .is momentarily closed, momentarily energizing solenoid 139 actuating the va1ve108inthe opposite direction to open the jaws; i

Opening of the jaws causes @mentai-ily closed momentarilyenergizing' solenoid 14 2, to

sleeve andsaid coreaxially relative to the tubular member actuate thevalve 110. in;the opposite direction and .re-

turn the jaws to their original position. Substantially simultaneously with thearrival-of. the jaws Y 10510 the end "of their path, the pushenbar 11:1'ar r ives at the end of its path and'contacts theswitch 1 17 momentarily -.en ergizing solenoid 146 and actuating thevalve114 to return the pusher bar to its original position; The parts I are then in position for repeating the cycle when the switch 86 is closedby'a core being fed 'to the apparatus. The operation of the various -mechanisms; may be summarized as follows: A tube .33 is first mounted on tubularmandrel 35 and -a sleeve 1 S is positioned within the tubular mandrel .35 by the operation of-the motor 57. The end of .the sleeve Sis thereafterturned. -over onto the tube 33 and thejaws34 are caused to grip and move .the sleeve along the length of the tube 3} in V successive'gripping and reciprocating movementsto' pull and invert the sleeve S onto" the tube 3,f ,The tube 33 1 with thesleeve invertedthereon-is then: slippedover mandrel 102. and a portion ofthesleeve ispulledofli the tube. .As each core .32 is stripped fromthe hopper.66,

it pushes the. previously stripped co re 32 through lthe adhesive applying head and thereafter through. the hollow. mandrel 102. a The projections. 122 maintain the core 312 in spaced relationship 'to thefhollow mandrel and prevent the adhesive from being'wiped oifthe core.

ically resistant to paints and varnishes inwhich the paint roller is'to be used. a, The adhesive must beapplied in such amounts and at such fluidity that the basefabric is suificiently impregnated to lock the pile fibers therein.

It can thusbeseen that we have provided a method and apparatus for inverting and transferring the knitted sleeves onto the cores. The method and apparatus are particularly suited to the handling of a tubular knitted sleeve which is knitted with thefibers of the pile formed on the interior of the sleeve and wherein the sleeve is relatively elastic and the fibers of the pile are quite long and intermingled so that substantially the entire interiorof the sleeve-prior to inverting is filled with fibers. .The method and apparatus are also particularly suited to a tubular knitted sleeve wherein the-pile fibers are not held .within the .base fabricin any other manner than by the knitting. I

Weclainiz 1 I 1.. In the .manufacture ofpaint rollers from a pile fabric sleeve wherein the sleeve has the pile on the inner surface thereof, the method which comprises inverting said sleeve onto a tubular member having a greater external circumference than the circumference of said base fabric ofsaid sleeve and simultaneously gathering said sleeve on said tubular member whereby the gathered length of said sleeve after inverting is less than the length of said sleeveprior to inverting, thereafterpositioning a core within said tubular memberpgripping said core and theend of said sleeve,and;simultaneously movingsaid away from said tubular member therebytransferring said sleeve from saidstubularmemberontor saidcorer j a -2.-"I h'e method set'fo'r'th, f claim :1- herein said rn'ovementof saidslejeve', 'an ds'faid core axiallyis performed in onecontinuousoperation.

3. The method set forth in can 1 whats the length I s id' c re is. great tlthanj lle; s th 'l th of a d .sl e eafter t h s b lin t s Q 4- The m thodset ort in {claim we he g h o a s rel s s s an a yt ual' t hels t of a e v P QUQ. j ,I.fq. 3 I, 5 In the manufacturepfpaintrollersfrom a pile fabric e ve rh re n. he s e e has 'iPFP n hs inner face thereof, the method whichcomprises inverting said sleeveonto a tubular member having a greater, external circumference than the circumference of said base fabric of said'sleeve and simultaneously gathering said sleeve on "said tubular member whereby the gathered length of said sleevei after less than the length of said sleeve. prior .to inverting, thereafter positioning a core within. saidtubularmember, bringing the end ,of said a core fand an end ofsaidsleeve into register, gripping .As a corelisrnoved through mandrel 102 and adhesive is w :displac'ed on the surface thereof by thel proj ections 1 22,

,the'adhesivefredistributes itselfafter passing the-projections' to" provide an even layen of adhesive" on the core, due to the fluidity of theiadhe's'ive; AS the .forwardend 9 the so 3.2 p s e th qush. the h lqwgia d 101,.

the jaws '105 a're caused togripthe'endof thesleeve the ends of said core 'and said sleeve, and moving said e teem; said sleeve axially relative to said tubular' memher "thereby" {transfer-ring saidfsleeve from "said tubular iimember onto saidcorelj i 6. 111 the manufacture orpaintfrouen from aknitted pile fabrietubular sleeve-wherein said sleeve is initially formedthe' pile' orj the inner surface thereof, the 'interior of said sleeve beings'ubstahtially'filled with pile. :fibers, the method whichlcomprises positioning said tubu lat sleeve within a tubular 'niemberf turning one end of and onto the outersurfac'e ofsaid tubular member, gripto the core.

spent-ass 71 I ping the turned-overend of said sleeve and inverting a portion of said sleeve onto said tubular member by caus-. ing relative axial movement between said .tubular member and said sleeve for a distance substantially less than the total length of the tubular member whereby the turned-over end is advanced along the tubularmember,

thereafter releasing said gripping action on said'sleeve and gripping another portion of said sleeve adjacent said end of said tubular member, inverting a second portion of said sleeve onto said tubular member by again causing relative movement between said sleeve and said tubular member for a distance substantially less than the total length of the tubular member and thereby gathering said first inverted portion onsaid tubular member, and continuing said steps of releasing the gripping action, gripping the sleeve and inverting a portion of the sleeve until the entire length of said sleeve has been inverted and gathered onto said tubular member to a length less than the length of said sleeve prior to inverting.

7. In the manufacture ofpaint rollers from a pile fabric sleeve wherein the sleeve is mounted on a tubular member with the pile extending outwardly, the method which comprises positioning a core within the tubular member on which the sleeve has been inverted, the sleeve on said tubular member being gathered and thereby hav ing a gathered length less than the length thereof prior to inverting, said core having a length substantially equal to the length of said sleeve prior to inverting, gripping and moving the end of said core and said sleeve axially relative to said tubular member and thereby transferring said sleeve from said tubular member onto said core.

8. In the manufacture of paint rollers from a pile fabric sleeve wherein the sleeve is mounted on a tubular member with the pile'extending outwardly, the method which comprises moving cores on which the sleeves are to be mounted axially in succession, applying adhesive to said cores during said movement, positioning a tubular member having an inverted sleeve thereon in the path of said cores in such a manner that a core passes through the tubular member, and gripping the endof said sleeve and moving said sleeve along with one said core thereby transferring said sleeve from the tubular member onto said core.

g 9. Inpthe manufacture of paint rollers from a pile fabric sleeve wherein the sleeve is mounted on a tubular member with the pile extending outwardly, the method which comprises moving cores on which the sleeves are to be mounted axially in succession, applying adhesive to said cores during said movement, positioning a tubular member having an inverted sleeve thereon in the path of said cores in such a manner that a core passes through the tubular member, gripping one end ,of said sleeve on said tubular member and acore as it is moved through said tubular member, and moving said sleeve and core axially of said tubular member thereby transferring said sleeve from said tubular member onto said core. I

10. The method set forth in claim 9 wherein aforce is applied to the other end of said sleeve in the same direction as that in which the sleeve is moved to facilitate its transfer from the tubular member onto said core. a

11. in the manufacture of paint rollers from a knitted pile fabric sleeve wherein the sleeve initially has the pile on the inner surface thereof, the method of inverting the sleeve which comprises positioning the sleeve within a tubular member having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of said sleeve in anuntensioned condition,

pulling the end of said sleeve over one end ofsaid tubular member, successively gripping said sleeve at a point near .the end of said tubular member over which the sleeve has been turned, and moving said sleeve for a distancesubstantially less than the total length of said tubular member thereby inverting said sleeve onto said tubular mem- .of said sleeve prior to inverting.

. relative to said tubular member for a distance substan 12. In the manufacture of paint rollers from ,a pile prises positioning said fabric sleeve within a tubular member, turning one end of said tubular sleeve over one end of the tubular member and onto the outer surface of said-tubular'member, gripping said turned-over end and moving said turned-over end axially relative to'said tubular memberthereby inverting a first portion of said sleeve onto said tubular member, gripping said sleeve at a point adjacent the end of said tubular member and moving said sleeve axially relative to said tubular member thereby inverting a secand portion of said sleeve Onto. said tubular member and moving said previously inverted first portion of said sleeve along said tubular member, continuing the steps of gripping and moving said'sleeve to invert successive portions of said sleeve until the entire length of said sleeve is inverted onto said tubular member, positioning a core within said tubular member onto which the sleeve has been inverted, pulling one end of said sleeve off said tubular member, moving said core through said tubular member to position said core within the end of said sleeve which has been pulled off said tubular member, gripping the end of said sleeve and said core and moving said sleeve and core axially relative to the tubular member thereby transferring said sleeve from said tubular member onto said core.

13. In the manufacture of paint rollers from a pile fabric tubular sleeve wherein the sleeve initially has the pile on the inner surface thereof, the method which comprises positioning said fabric sleeve within a tubular member, turning one end of said tubular sleeve over one end of the tubular member and onto the outer surface of said tubular member, gripping said turned-over end and moving said turned-over end axially relative to said tubular member for a distance substantially less than the total length of the tubular member thereby inverting a first portion of said sleeve onto said tubular member, gripping said sleeve at a point adjacent the end of said tubular member and moving said sleeve axially tially less than the total length of the tubular member thereby inverting a second portion of said sleeve onto said tubular member and moving and gathering said previously inverted first portion of said'sleeve along said tubular member and continuing the steps of gripping and moving successive portions, of the sleeve until the entire sleeve has been inverted and gathered on said tubular member to a gathered length less than the length of said sleeve prior to inverting.

14. lnthe manufacture of paint rollers from a pile fabric sleeve wherein pile fibers are held in the base fabric of said sleeve only by the stitches of the base fabric, the method which comprises mounting said sleeve on a tubular member wtih the pile extending outwardly,

applying a layer of adhesive to the outer surface of a coreonto which the sleeve is to be mounted, moving said core through said tubular member, and simultaneously gripping the forward end of said core and the end of said sleeve as the forward end of the core passes through the tubular member and moving the end of said, sleeve and saidcore axially relative to the tubular member in the di-' rection of movement of the core through the tubular member thereby transferring said sleeve from said tubular member onto said core, the amount of adhesive applied to said core being suflicient to adhere the base fabric of said sleeve to said core and to lock the pile fibers in the base fabric.

'15. The method set 'forth'in claim l4 which includes the step of maintaining said core out of face-to-face contact with theinterior surface, of said tubular member as Iitflis moved through said tubular member, maintaining the layer of adhesive substantially undisturbed.

V .16. in the manufacture of paint rollers from a pile a 13 V fabric sleeve wherein pile fibers are held in the base fabric of said sleeve only by the stitches of the base fabric, the method which comprises mounting said sleeve on a tubular member with the pile extending outwardly, applying a layer of adhesive to the outer surface of a core on which said sleeve is to be mounted, pulling one end of said sleeve 01f said tubular member, moving said core through said tubular member to position said core within the end of said sleeve which has been. pulled ofl said tubular member, gripping the end of said sleeve and said core and moving said sleeve and core axially relative to the tubular member thereby transferring said sleeve from said tubular member onto said ,core, the amount of adhesive which is applied to said core being suflicient to adhere the base fabric of said sleeve to said core and to lock the pile fibers in the base fabric.

17. In the manufacture of paint rollers from a pile fabric sleeve wherein pile fibers are held in the base fabric of said sleeve only by the stitches of thebase fabric, the method which comprises moving a core in a predetermined path with the axis of said core parallel to said path, applying a layer of adhesive progressively to the outer surface of said core as it is moved along said path, positioninga tubular member, on which a sleeve has been mounted with the pile extending outwa'rdly, in the path of said core, continuing the move ment of said core so that said core passes through said tubular member, and gripping the end of said core and the end of the sleeve as the end of the core passes through said tubular member and moving said core and sleeve axially relative to said tubular member thereby transferring said sleeve from said tubular member onto said core, the amount of adhesive which is applied to said core being sufficient to adhere the base fabric of said sleeve to said core and to lock the pile fibers in the base fabric.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,752,953 Schmidt July 3,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 2344 588 Alfred Ln Sannipoli et a1.

July 12 1960 It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification oi 'bfie' above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Pe'laen'l'. ehould read as corrected below.

Column l2 line 73,, after "memberinsert thereby Signed and sealed this 29th day of November 1960a (SEAL) Attelt: I

K AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSGN Attelting Offioer Commissioner of Patents 

